Not a very nice place, full of bugs and spiders, soot, ashes and creosote. There are actually two distinct (though related) factors affecting chimney performance: draft and capacity. Must stop the draft… But don't close it completely until the fire is out. If your damper is adjustable, gradually close it as the fire dies down to maintain a draft and limit cold air from coming down. Rules: Must be wife approved (so not too ugly). Fireplace Draft Problems Stop drafts, save money! If your vents do not have an open/close feature then you need to cover the vents when the fireplace is not in use. This will allow the heat to be pushed more into the home and heat the house without concern over fire hazards. When surveying the interior of the fireplace, I noticed the installation bracket for the glass doors on the front of the fireplace stuck out inside the fireplace. The damper handle is usually located inside the chimney, above the firebox. Can anyone suggest how to make or buy a simple block to stop a draft coming in or warm air going out. I would recommend having a professional mason inspect for missing mortar and cracked liner. Open the fireplace damper all the way when starting a fire. Also, if there are cracks in the flue, the likelihood of pulling smoke from an operating flue to an adjacent one— which has the chimney-top damper closed—may increase. Now that it's cold in my area (27F), I've noticed that there is quite a draft coming from the fireplace. Unless you have a vent-free fireplace, the first step you should take before lighting a fire in a wood-burning fireplace or gas fireplace is to open the damper. Draft is the force behind flow, while capacity is the capability to handle flow. If you have gas logs in your fireplace, let the smoke and fumes dissipate for a few moments before closing the damper. Hi, I have a small open fire that is in constant use every night in the winter but obviously not in use much by day and in the summer. I have a wood burning fireplace insert, that is not currently being used. During the part of the year you are using your wood-burning fireplace, open the damper before you light the fire. Keeping your damper working properly is important. This structure can add a sense of luxurious charm to the home, transforming an ordinary interior into a cozy, fashionable space. After the fire has started, close the damper as far as possible without causing smoke to back up into the room. Trim the excess material at the edges and corners using a utility knife or pair of sharp scissors. For many homeowners chimney length and draft is unsubstantial as long as the smoke leaves the house and the bricks stay in tact. There is a really cold draft coming in through our fireplace even though the flue and the glass doors are closed. See more ideas about fireplace cover, fireplace, unused fireplace. Check the draft. Light a match near the opening of the flue and see if the draft is coming down or going up. How to Open Your Chimney Damper. If necessary to keep the fire burning well and smoke-free, you may adjust the damper into a semi-open position. How can I cover/insulate the fireplace to stop the draft? Nov 24, 2014 - Explore Kelly Daley's board "unused fireplace cover", followed by 220 people on Pinterest. If you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace then you should be able to close the flue. You need to leave an air ventilation opening to keep from getting air pockets backing up from the top of the chimney. I've noticed it when it's not in use, especially at night but it seems inconsistent and not necessarily predictable by the temperature or audible wind. How to Block Cold Air From a Chimney. How to use the fireplace damper to control the fire. Once the fire is burning and a good draft is established, close the throat damper slowly, (this applies to wood fires only, not gas!) It depends on what kind of fireplace you have. It regulates draft and prevents the loss of heat up the chimney. 3. Even with the damper closed, there is a draft that escapes into the room. Draught-free homes are comfortable at lower temperatures – so you may be able to turn down your thermostat, saving even more on your energy bills. A draft problem can have many causes; the main ones are explored below with tips to spot and solve each one so you can breathe easier and enjoy your fireplace going forward. After a few fires in your fireplace, the damper will not seal the flue and you have a draft. If it is still coming down, you must find a way of reversing the draft and getting it to go up. With magnets makeover with peel-and-stick tiles into a semi-open position the heat to be able to the... 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